News
Trump presidency bodes ill for smaller nations like PH
January 28, 2017
America’s inauguration of its 45th President sent jitters across the world as to the future of foreign policies, said research group IBON. For the Philippines, whose economy has been influenced largely by the US for many decades, this is an opportune time to rethink its economic policies and its relations not only with the superpower […]
Pension hike welcome, but entire pension system reform needed–IBON
January 23, 2017
Though welcoming the recent House of Representatives’ (HOR) passage of the Php 2,000 pension hike, research group IBON expressed concern over another simultaneously approved bill that allows the Social Security System (SSS) to raise member contributions without presidential approval. The group said that the Duterte administration should instead address SSS inefficiencies and work towards […]
Duterte admin’s econ direction troubling, but peace talks may stir change?
January 18, 2017
While the unorthodox Pres. Rodrigo Duterte gained popular support due to its pro-poor pronouncements and promise of change, research group IBON said that the neoliberal economic agenda prevails as Duterte’s economic managers and other dominant groups push big business-biased/free market-oriented policies over people-centered reforms. Nevertheless, IBON also said that the ongoing peace negotiations between the […]
Fuel excise tax more burden than boon for poor — IBON
January 9, 2017
Research group IBON said that the fuel excise tax being pushed by President Duterte’s economic managers will increase taxes on already burdened poor and low income wage earners. The group said that the Duterte administration should redesign the tax system to tax the richest who have the huge ability to pay more and relieve […]
Institutionalize free public higher education – IBON
December 22, 2016
Though the additional funds for State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) are welcome, research group IBON said, free tuition for higher education needs to be institutionalized as a right of all Filipinos rather than discretionary depending on the perceived availability of funds. If made into law, more funds will be mandatorily earmarked to ensure that all […]
Jobs crisis prevails despite lower unemployment rate — IBON
December 20, 2016
Though claiming lowest joblessness in the past decade, research group IBON said that government’s latest unemployment figures fail to show the real extent of the jobs crisis in the country. Underemployment and poor quality of work still prevail, said the group. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) recently released the October 2016 results of the […]
Protect PH econony, drop Cha-cha, lawmakers told
December 14, 2016
Protect PH economy, drop Cha-cha, lawmakers told As the Duterte administration embarks on amending the highest law of the land, research group IBON called on legislators and government officials to stop moves to change the economic provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Not allowing Charter Change (Cha-cha) in this aspect can be a concrete […]
Use funds to hasten Yolanda rehab, Duterte gov’t urged
November 29, 2016
Research group IBON echoed the call for government to expedite Yolanda rehabilitation as the typhoon survivors trooped to Manila to air their grievances. Government should make use of the billions of pesos in relief funds and resources to help millions of survivors who have for three years now been struggling to recover their homes and […]
EV agri neglected despite billions in Yolanda funds
November 28, 2016
As disaster survivors from Eastern Visayas converge in Manila to bare mounting poverty, hunger and injustice in the region, research group IBON said that the region’s agriculture and fisheries sector are slow to recover despite billions in available Yolanda funds. The group noted that while a significant number of people in Eastern Visayas depend on […]
